Obituary of Richard C. MacDonald

Dr. Richard Clarke MacDonald

Camden/Dover Foxcroft/Palm Beach Gardens/Waterville

Richard (Dick) MacDonald, D.O. died on November 25^th, 2023 at age 88 in Rockport, Maine.  Born on 10/25/1935 to Ernest (from Leeds, England) and Katherine in Philadelphia where he and his sister, Kitty Lou, attended Germantown High.  Here, he starred on the track and swim teams and was student council president.

Dick spoke often about how being dyslexic taught him to never shy away from a challenge.  He became passionate about sports and attended Springfield College to study physical education.  There, he fell in love with Patricia Harlow.  They were married in 1959, true partners until her death in 2022.  They then moved to Kirskville, MO where Dick attended osteopathic medical school, graduating in 1965, and where Pat gave birth to Rick and Barbara.

Dick then began the practice of osteopathic manipulative therapy in Annapolis, MD with his half-brother, Ernest (Rick).  The brothers testified in front of Congress establishing osteopathic Medicare reimbursement.  Dick and Pat had their 3^rd child, Douglas, here.  In 1974, the family moved to Maine where he practiced at Waterville Osteopathic Hospital, was president of the MOA (1983) and received the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding lifetime contributions to the Osteopathic profession (2017).  Here he treated many athletes and could be seen running in the dead of winter with icicles on his beard training for the Boston Marathon.  Dick had an adventurous spirit enjoying family canoe trips to Moosehead Lake, exploring esoteric healing arts, UFOs and cryptozoology.

In 1987, Dick and Pat moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida joining Dr. John Upledger’s institute.  While teaching CranioSacral Therapy, Dick inspired hundreds of students across the country, in Europe and New Zealand while forming lasting friendships.  Together, Dick and Pat loved treating infants and children with disabilities here and in Mexico.  Upon semi-retirement in 2006, they returned to Maine to live closer to his nephew, Skip, and family in Dover Foxcroft, volunteering at the YMCA, taking trips up the Allagash and aboard the schooner Mary Day.  Later, Dick and Pat moved to the mid-coast living closer to Barbara in their final years.

Dick and Pat’s children extend sincere gratitude for the wonderful staff at Bartlett Woods and Quarry Hill where they lived and to the healthcare providers at Pen Bay Medical Center where he passed.

Dick will be remembered fondly for his dedication to family, sense of humor and devotion to helping and healing people.  He was predeceased by his parents, wife (Pat), sister (Kitty), and half-brothers Frank, Warren, and Ernest.  He is survived by his children Rick (Verleen & Caroline), Barb (Shawn & Declan) and Doug (Amy, Molly & Otto), nieces, nephews, and close friends.  We invite anyone with a fond memory, to go to Dick’s memorial page at Ripostafh.com. 

In lieu of flowers, consider donations to UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE.edu/com/ways-give-com) or zapendurance.com.

Memorial Celebration of Life for Richard C. & Patricia A. MacDonald

When: Saturday, June 8^th at 10:00 a.m.

Where: The Samoset Resort & Spa in Rockport, Maine  (Maine lobby entry, across from gift shop)

Who: Those who knew and loved Dick and Pat are welcome; space is limited.

RSVP REQUIRED BY 5/15/24 by email to Barbara at drbarbmacdonald@yahoo.com or you can text or call (207) 701-1761 and leave a voicemail with your name, number and relation to Dick & Pat please.